Page 60 of The Devil of Hollywood

“The Unavowed requests your presence.”

“Thank God.”

Elec let out a deep breath, and I hesitantly walked over. My hand had a slight shake to it as my arm went out to Marian. There was defensiveness from both of us, but she knew I’d protect her. It had her arm lifting so that she could hold to my bicep. To anyone else, she was hurt. It looked like I was helping her, but my real help would come if anyone tried to separate us. I wasn’t letting her go anywhere. Not without me. Especially not now.

Innocent.

Victim.

Reality was chaos inside me as I tried to process and let the video sink in. All those years... All that pain for both of us…

“Can you walk? I can carry you. I don’t mind.”

“I’m not weak, Drayton.”

“No, you’re injured. That’s not weak; it’s strong. You’re strong. You don’t have to be right now. It may play in our favor if you don’t.”

My words were low. Marian’s eyes rose to mine and something passed between us that made my heart race.

“I do want to leave.”

She didn’t have to say more. I scooped her up, carrying her out of the room. The way her arms came around me, it was the tiniest piece of home. Not a location, but a feeling of finally finding my place in life. And this is where we were. Hell, itself. But I was carrying her. I had her back for the meantime. Innocent. Innocent.

“You pretended to be so nice to me in the hotel. It was a lie. You already knew you owned me… didn’t you.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. What I did was for the public. For the circle. For the camera that was recording us. You admitted I didn’t rape you. We kissed. It fit the narrative of⁠—”

“Reconciliation.”

“Exactly.”

“And Bastian? Where is he at in all this? How did you even find me here?”

My lips twisted, and I didn’t want to think over what I discovered.

“Bastian’s a coward. He’s home, hiding from me. He knows I own you now, and that you’re here. I’m not going to let this go. What he did—What he allowed to happen—Elec and I are working on it, but that’s going to take time. The only reason he was in Miami to begin with was because he got wind that The Unavowed might try to abduct you. I guess he thought his appearance and number of guards at the hotel would deter him. The moment his intel got wind that The Unavowed was spotted and had his own men, they rushed him out. He ran because he wouldn’t stand against this bastard. I was the hiccup, and only because I had no idea what was happening. I took you first. The Unavowed just… knocked me out and took you from me.”

“What?” Her head reared back, and she met my eyes. “You? But—You? No, it was another man. A couple.”

I gave her a look, and it had her lips parting.

“That was you?”

“Hollywood can be pretty convincing.”

“No shit. That was really you?”

“It was. Now lay your head down and hold onto me.” I headed for the doors Elec and Bram entered through. “Whatever happens, don’t let go. I won’t either.”

Marian paused as she kept my eye contact, but obeyed, lowering her head and holding on tighter. “What if they make me stay?”

“They won’t.”

“What if they do?”

I approached the doors. “I’m not leaving here without you.”